Wisconsin Milk Strike, 1933

The early years of the Great Depression took their toll on farming communities throughout the country, including Manitowoc County. Dairy farmers were especially hard hit with milk selling at $1.75 per hundred weight. Farmers became restless with reports of milk strikes in large cities like New York and Chicago.

The first milk strike of the year took place from February 15 to February 22. The Manitowoc Herald Times on February 21, 1933 reported, “The milk strike dipped into Manitowoc County today, closed a dozen or more cheese factories and creameries in the northern and western sections, and forced a hurriedly called meeting of the farm holiday association at the courthouse.” Sheriff Herman Schuette had not received any calls for deputy aid in the county but he was ready if needed. Cheese factories and creameries throughout the state had been set on fire and attacked with vandalism, but so far the violent protests had not been found in Manitowoc County.

With no measurable results, a second strike was called by the Milk Pool on May 13. This time rival farmers organizations, including the Farmers' Holiday Association, joined in blocking dairy products from getting to market.

The second strike provoked violence throughout the state of Wisconsin. On May 18, in what became known as "the battle of Durham Hill," National Guardsmen took on 300 to 400 pickets on Highway 36 in southeastern Waukesha County with tear gas and a bayonet charge into the crowd of picketers. Company E, 127th Infantry from Manitowoc was called to patrol duty on highways in Ozaukee and Milwaukee counties to protect milk trucks.

The strike was in effect until May 19, when Governor Alfred Schmedeman agreed to appoint a farmer-controlled committee to study the milk-pricing system.

As summer transitioned to fall, nothing had changed. A milk strike was again officially called for on October 21. Groups of farmers gathered on roads throughout the area and dumped their cans of fresh milk onto the ground.

While Manitowoc County had escaped the violence of the first two strikes, the October strike would not follow the trend. Anthony Tuschel of Cato was injured in a truck accident on Waldo Boulevard in Manitowoc when he attempted to bring his milk through picket lines. Gerhard Hanson, also from Cato, was injured as he worked to dump his milk at the White House Condensery.

The October 27 Manitowoc Herald Times reported picket activity: “Militant pickets formed a cordon around all highways leading into the city [of Manitowoc], stopping all incoming and outgoing trucks and cars. They effectively blocked all milk and dairy supplies from moving.”

A fiery cross was planted at a farm off Lakeshore Road because the owners were supplying milk to Manitowoc dairies. The violence caused H.M. Clark, President of the White House Milk Condensary to lose an eye as a result of a tear gas accident. Manitowoc County Sheriff Schuette signed 150 permits to deputize farmers, milk haulers, and cheese makers to carry firearms.

The milk strike was called off on November 20, 1933. Newspapers reported that farmers lost $10 million during the strikes. President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped lay results with the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 but it was only a slight improvement. The Great Depression continued to be a struggle for many farm families.

OUR MISSION: The Manitowoc County Historical Society collects, interprets, preserves, and promotes the history and heritage of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, in order to educate the public and heighten its understanding and appreciation of the past as it proceeds into the future.